Long stay visa for "lecteurs" and "assistants"

1. What are "lecteurs de langue étrangère" and "assistants de langue vivante"?

A "lecteur de langue étrangère" may teach in a French high school or university.

An "assistant de langue vivante" may teach English in a French high school.

2. Long stay visa and residence permit in France

• From the 1st of June 2009, long stay visa holders will be allowed to reside in France for up to 12 months according to the validity of their visa and purpose of stay. They will no longer be required to obtain a residence permit ("carte de séjour") from the French local authorities ("Préfecture") as long as their visa is valid.

• However, long stay visa holders will have to register tothe French Office of Immigration and Integration (OFII) during the first three months of their stay in France. For further information please check the residence permit page.Please note that the new regulations applicable from the 1st of June 2009 will require a longer processing time to issue long stay visas that will serve as first residence permits.

• You must obtain your visa while in the USA. The visa cannot be issued once the applicant is in France.

3. Do I need a visa ?

Yes except if you are a citizen of Switzerland, Andorra, Vatican, San Marino, Monaco or of the European Economic Area :

5. Requirements

Please provide us with the original + 1 copy of each document. The visa section does not make any copies, you must bring your documents and the required copies. You are also invited to sort your documents in the same order they are listed below in order to facilitate the work of the visa officer that will review your application.

1. Original passport or travel document (+ ONE COPY of the identity pages).Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, be valid for at least ten months and have at least 2 blank visas pages left.

2. One application form (the English version) filled out completely and signed by the applicant.

6. A print-out of your e-ticket or online confirmation showing your departutre date to France—one way is ok, assuming your contract is at least for six months

7. A self-addressed prepaid envelope with a tracking number from USPS OR FEDEX ONLY. You may use one envelope per family. You don’t have to provide an envelope if you prefer to pick up your passport when it is ready. For FedEx, you must choose the option “BILL RECIPIENT”, not “BILL SENDER”.Please keep copy of your tracking number (as we are not going to do so), stick the mailing label on the envelope and fill out like this :

FROM:YOUR NAME88 Kearny Street #600SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94108

TO:Your full nameYour address

6. Important information

• The consular administration has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant.

• Please be aware that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee the approval of the visa.

• Please note that holders of visas are still subject to immigration control upon first entry into France. The visa itself does not grant the right to enter France.